THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
OCT. 41 
mitted them to make as many layers as they 
would. The following season I found it neces¬ 
sary to move the plants, and did so late in the 
season, thus securing but little fruit. The 
past season was the first they have borne a 
crop, aud it was well worth waiting for. The 
berries were large to very large, the quantity 
simply immense, and the quality very pleasing. 
I have always regarded this berry as the pro¬ 
duct of high culture, and one that would not 
succeed under ordinary cultivation ; the re¬ 
sult has been just the opposite, and i am 
more than pleased with it. My soil is strong 
clay and moderately enriched with good stable 
manure. I have given the bed no special care 
save to keep the thistles out, and to occasion¬ 
ally stir it to keep it from baking, h. t. j. 
Rochester, N. Y. 
fnkstrial JSotietifS, 
THE MICHIGAN STATE FAIR. 
I Special Correspondence.] 
DETROIT, Mich, Sept. 20. 
The Michigan State fair held at this city Sept. 
15-19, was, as an exhibition, more than an ordin¬ 
ary success. Illinois at Springfield, aud the 
8 t. Louis Association may excel it—probably 
they will: Ohio at Columbus did in a few re¬ 
spects ; but, on the whole, the Detroit fair so far 
has been the banner exhibition of the West. 
In point of attendance it was good, consider¬ 
ing that the afternoons of the first and second 
days were rainy ami that Thursday—usually 
the best day of the fair week—was thoroughly 
and disgustingly moist, throughout. 
If the State Hoard had tried—and I do not 
know but they did—to find a more unprom¬ 
ising plot of ground iu the vicinity of Detroit 
for fair purposes, they could uot have succeeded 
better. Low aud boggy, uot half underdrained, 
with a clay bottom somewhere beneath, and a 
clayey mud of uncertain depth at the surface, 
the wet weather gave the people as uncom¬ 
fortable a time and way of getting about as 
can well be imagined. But for the admirable 
arrangement of running the railroad track 
Into the grounds, one can hardly imagine how 
the heavy machinery could have been got on to 
or off the place. 
Michigan people, are rather proverbial for 
their good taste iu external affairs. Theii 
cities and villages me the prettiest of the West; 
their farm-houses and barns ure, on an aver¬ 
age, better perhap than those of any Stilly Lo 
the west of the lakes, and what a shock it insist 
have been to them, as they entered these fklr 
grounds, to see what had. been done to im¬ 
prove them. Along the right of the walk 
from the entrance to the Society’s office 
were some neatly constructed newspaper head¬ 
quarters ; but to the left and stretching away 
down an avenue in front of the president’s 
and secretary's offices, stood such a grotesque 
row of refreshment stands as never stood be¬ 
fore on any fair grouud. Instead of erecting 
halls aud uniform booths in which to com¬ 
fortably feed the people, ground fronting as 
I have said, was rented at $4 per front foot, 
it was stated, aud every caterer who could 
raise enough money to secure ten feet—and 
these included men of nearly all nationalities, 
races and colors—put up a structure of rough 
boards in form to suit his taste. Profusely de- 
coratod with ten-cent bit6 ol the stars aud 
stripes, they presented a barbaric appearance 
that would be highly appreciated in Central 
Africa. Passing by the officers’ neat quarters, 
there appeared a long stretch of canvas cov¬ 
ered with distorted paintings of monstrosities 
and fierce animals and crawling sualces, that 
rounded out the scene in the most perfect man¬ 
ner. This was the first of half a dozen great 
fairs, visited this season, where the side shows 
—those relics of a former decade—were allowed 
Inside the gates. 
The grand cavalcade of live stock on Thurs¬ 
day told the story of Michigan’s greatness iu 
this important interest. If Noah marshaled 
such an array as this from the ark and gave 
to each deserving animal a ribbon, then they 
had more silk factories in liiose days than hi,-.- 
tory gives them credit for. The show of draft 
horses was very line, Pcrchci ous aud Clydes¬ 
dales closely competing for the honors. Mich¬ 
igan is somewhat noted for roadsters, and they 
were out in full force. There was an excellent 
array of brood mares and fillies. The race 
track being so far removed from the exhibi¬ 
tion proper, the usual outside trials of 
speed did not distract general attention and 
demoralize the show. The herds of Short¬ 
horns represented here are as choice as any 
State can show. Specimens of the milch 
breeds were numerous and choice. The ex¬ 
clusion of animals from other States and Canada 
lessened the number considerably and was the 
cause of considerable unfavorable comment. 
The swine exhibit was good ; in fact, though 
less numerous than I have seen at some of the 
Jliiuois aud Iowa fairs, iu excellence of speci¬ 
mens of the prominent and fashionable breeds, 
the show would have been a credit to any State. 
As a sheep State Michigan retains its su¬ 
premacy, especially in American Merinos. In 
the mutton and long-wool classes the display 
was more than ordinarily good. On the whole, 
the indications arc that Michigan sheep grow¬ 
ers have not in these long years of depression, 
lost faith in their flocks as a remunerative 
branch of fanning. 
Except perhaps In Game fowls, the poultry 
show was of more than ordinary excellence. 
There were plenty of Games to be sure, but 
they were not the choicest specimens. The 
Asiatics, of course, took the lead, though the 
Plymouth Rocks held their own very well. 
I noticed but few French fowls. These seem to 
be losing their hold In this country. The show 
of aquatic fowls was good. The exhibition of 
fruit was more than creditable. Michigan Is, as 
every one knows, a most excellent fruit State. 
Besides her active Pomological Society, with 
many veteran pomologists as members, she 
has numerous local horticultural societies 
composed of active, experienced men bent on 
developing the Interest to its utmost. These 
nearly all united in filling Fruit Hall with the 
products of their orchards and viues. The 
entries were numerous. In this hall was also 
the floral exhibit—uot large, to be sure, but the 
exhibit of cut flowers by Mr. Vick of Rochester, 
helped it out fiuely. 
Farm Product Ilall was well filled. The ex¬ 
hibits were for the most part by counties, and 
the competition was spirited. The show of 
potatoes was exceptionally fine. The collec¬ 
tion was much belter arranged than is usually 
the case at Western fairs. 
Mechanical Hull, the largest of the lot, was 
filled to its utmost with a wonderfully varied 
and interesting class ol machines and de¬ 
vices. It was thronged throughout every day. 
It was a study, and it disseminated a great deal 
of knowledge concerning inventions aud pro¬ 
cesses. 
But the crowning display of this fair was the 
agricultural implement department. Long 
lines of shaft tug run by heavy portable en¬ 
gines, exhibited in me non machines requiring 
motive power, making them a center of attrac¬ 
tion lo all classes of visitors. Acres were cov¬ 
ered with the best reapers, mowers, rakes, 
thrashers, clover hullers, harrows, and the 
like. "While many of the manufacturers of 
plows in Michigan aud Indiana made choice 
and elegant displays uuder roofs erected for 
their own special uses. This graud field of 
machinery was arranged with method aud 
taste. Engines for thrashing and other farm 
work were numerous, A self-binder in con¬ 
stant operation always had a crowd abjjut it. 
The lair ground presented an admiruMjc op¬ 
portunity for showing the working ofm lirst- 
elass ditching machine, hut I saw i"jiio at 
work, perhaps none was present. Among 
the standard aud well perfected machinery 
here exhibited we. may make the following 
brief special mention. 
The Win. Anson Wood Mower awd Reaper 
Co., of Albany, N. Y., through Messrs. Wood¬ 
ford A; Niles, Detroit, Mich., their geucral 
ageuts for Michigan and northern Iudiaua, 
made a fine exhibit of a full line of their reap¬ 
ers and mowers. The new machines, which 
we noticed in full at the New York State fair, 
attracted a great deal of attention. There is 
no doubt but that these machines will take 
well with the Michigan farmers, as I heard 
them spoken highly of by all who saw them. 
The new reaper especially, on account of its 
lightness, strength and durability, takes well. 
The arrangement for raising aud lowering 
both ends of the cutter-bar at once; Us adjust¬ 
ability to all kinds of work; its being so nicely 
balanced, and its geucral construction (being 
made of the best of material and in tbe very 
best manner), commend U to all who see it. 
The Lion self-operating sulky rake and the 
Howe force pump, made by Messrs. A. W. 
Miner & Co., Belmont, N. Y., were exhibited 
by A. F. Chandler, of Coldwater, Mich., their 
genera' agent tor Michigau and Indiana. The 
Lion lake possesses many acknowledged strong 
points, as shown by Us being awarded the first 
prcinilt u at this fair, after being thoroughly 
examined by two committees of practical farm¬ 
ers. For simplicity, easu and nicety of opera¬ 
tion, it merits the highest commendation. It 
has no cumbersome rachet or springs to con¬ 
tinually get out of order; the teeth are adjust¬ 
able, aud can he raised or lowered at will by 
a double crank aud two independently-acting 
clutches. The pump Is suitable for all wind¬ 
mill purposes, warranted to be frost-proof; 
it never needs priming, aud works so easily 
that any child can operate it. It, also, was 
awarded the first premium. 
One of the largest exhibits on the grouuds 
was that of the old and reliable firm of P. P. 
Mast ifc Co., of Springfield, Ohio. It included 
their new Buckeye grain drill, with or without 
fertilizer attachment, which has the largest 
sale in this State of any of this class of imple¬ 
ments, aud is also a “general favorite” wher¬ 
ever used. This drill has mapy new and Im¬ 
portant improvements—which we illustrated a 
few weeks since iu the Rural. Their exhibit 
also includes a handsome cUsplay of their cele¬ 
brated corn field and fallow cultivators, cider 
miUs, plow sulkies, etc. P. P. Mast & Co. 
have the largest factory in this country for 
their class of goods, and have been running to 
their full capacity night and day. but have yet 
oeen unable to fill their orders. A large uuni- 
ber of drills was sold on the grounds, pur¬ 
chasers having to wait until the drills could bo 
manufactured. Mr. Butts says that farmers 
who use the “Buckeye” always wear a smile 
after harvest. 
The Gale Manufacturing Co., of Albion, 
Mich., made a handsome display of their cele¬ 
brated plows in a large tent, showing all their 
different styles; also their hay rako aud other 
goods manufactured by this coinpauy. These 
plows are well known in this part of the coun¬ 
try, and kept up their well-earned reputation 
by taking six first premiums:—1st, the sweep¬ 
stakes premium for largest and best display ; 
2d, on best general purpose plow; 3d, on oue- 
bot'Beplow; 4tli, on best cleaning eonltor ; 5tli, 
on best rolling coulter, and fitli, on gang plow. 
They also took first premium week before last 
at the Northern Ohio Fair, held at Cleveland. 
These premiums were w ell earned, as this plow 
has made an excellent record wherever intro¬ 
duced. We have often had occasion to speak 
favorably of it. The Gale Manufacturing Co. 
are now building a large addition to their fac¬ 
tory, so as to be able to fill the constantly in¬ 
creasing orders for their plows. 
Newkirk’s stock food-steamer and evapora¬ 
tor, exhibited by the patentee and manufac¬ 
turer, A. Newkirk, of Cleveland, Ohio, was 
awarded the first premium. This steamer is 
especially adapted to the general wants of the 
farmer aud stock raiser; it Is simple, durable 
and effective, and made of the very best ma¬ 
terial. It is sim]do iu its construction, and is 
fully warranted by the manufacturer lo an¬ 
swer all the purposes of a first-class steamer 
and evaporator. It heats water rapidly, and 
Is very useful for scalding hogs and many 
other purposes. The furnace is arranged to 
use either wood or coal. We saw it in full 
operation, burning green bass-wood. There 
has been a large number of these steamers sold 
during the past three years, and the patentee 
has yet to hear of the first case in which they 
have uot given perfect satisfaction ! 
The Perry Royce reaper w as exhibited by 
Messrs. Wyckoft, Tuttle Oliu of Perry, N. 
Y. This reaper is Celebrated for its sim¬ 
plicity of construction, lightness, ease of hand¬ 
ling and lightness of draft. The separate parts 
are few’ in number, aud are made of the very 
best material. Its weight is about 600 pounds. 
Although the manufacturers rati their factory 
to its full rapacity daring the past season, 
they were unable to fill their orders. They m-« 
at present increasing their works, and next 
season will he able to at least double their sup¬ 
ply. From the talk of ageuts and farmers who 
have used this reaper duriug the past season, 
we should judge that this machine is fast be¬ 
coming one of the leading implements iu this 
region. 
The Robbins’s Cultivator Co. of Jackson, 
Mich., made a large and handsome display of 
their celebrated cultivators and broadcast 
seeders, and wore awarded the sweepstakes 
premium. They huve taken the medal at the 
Michigan Fair every year since 1873. The Uub- 
bius's Cultivator has been long and favorably 
known iu this region, and Is fast gaining a 
strong hold in Ohio, New York and Pennsyl¬ 
vania. It is a combined corn and fallow cul¬ 
tivator, with an excellent broadcast seeder at¬ 
tachment. It is made of the very best mater¬ 
ial, and gives the very best of satisfaction 
w’herever used. 
At the election of officers, at the Michigan 
State fair the old officials were re-elected. 
They are: Pres.—Geo. W. Phillips, of Romeo; 
See’y.—R. F. Johnston, of Detroit; Treas.—A. 
J. Dean, of Adrian; Members of Executive 
Committee—Abel Augel, of Bradley; D. W. 
Howard, of Pentw’ater; 11. 0. Hanford, of 
Plymouth; F. M. Manning, of Albion; A. F. 
Wood, of Mason; F. V. Smith, of Coldwater; 
John Gilbert, of Ypsilauti; J. Q. A. Barring¬ 
ton, of Vassar; John McKay, of Sheboygan; 
C. A. Harrison, of Paw Paw’. w. w. c. 
NEBRASKA STATE FAIR. 
[Special Correspondence.] 
Brownsville, Neb., Sept. 27. 
Agriculturally and pomologically, we are iu 
the midst, or rather nearly through with our 
fairs, State, District and County. The State 
Fair at Lincoln, aud District Fairs at Hastings 
and Fremont, important interior points, are 
through with. The 8lalu Fair iu some respects 
w’as the best ever held. Sueb a display of fine 
hogs and blooded horseB one will scarcely see 
anywhere. Forty-nine imported thoroughbred 
stallions were in the stock arena at one time, 
principally heavy draft strains. It was a grand 
sight. The cattle show was not as extensive in 
numbers as at times before. The specimens, 
however, were as fine as could be desired— 
Sort-horns, Hereford*, Alderney*, Holsteins; 
Galloways, Devons, gradeB and “Natives.” 
There was a good show of sheep ; principally 
short-wools; and a better exhibit of longr 
wools than ever before. Hogs were generally 
of the black breeds—Berkshires and Polands 
Our people generally have discarded the white 
breeds. Some of the old Chesters were on ex-, 
liibition, and a few choice Short-face Lanca- 
shires. A few pens, for the first time, of Red 
hogs—.Jersey Reds—attracted attention, and 
were quite favorably received. 
While wo consider our fruit of all kinds a fail¬ 
ure thisyear.therc was a very creditable fruit ex¬ 
hibit— about two thousand plates, principally 
apples, pears aud grapes. There were but few 
peaches: strange to state, nearly all the 
peaches on exhibition wore from the interior 
counties, one aud two hundred miles west from 
the Missouri River, aud grown on the high, 
open prairie. Heretofore, it lifts been thought 
by many, that ouiy in the Eastern counties— 
those on the Missouri, aud south of the Platte 
River—could peaches be grown. I saw. picked 
and eat peaches from trees In the Republican 
Valiev, over two hundred miles from the 
eastern border of the State—in the heart of 
that region designated by Fremont, Miles aud 
other government officials as the “American 
Desert. ” The facts are that good f ruits can be 
grown anywhere between the Missouri River 
and the Rocky Mountains. 
It is a matter of regret among true friends of 
agriculture, that in agricultural products— 
actual fruits of the farm--our State Fair 
never made so poor a showing, and this, loo, 
in the face of the fact that wo have never had 
such universally abundant, crops. 
Crops of all kinds are good in every portion 
of the Stale. Seasons have boon when eorn 
and small grains have been better, here and 
there : but never before have there bceu such 
average crops throughout the whole State. 
While hand-bills and posters of State, or coun¬ 
ty fairs, show in their largest-lettered display 
lines—“ Three Thousand Dollars for the 
Speed Ring "—“Races Eacu Day "—“Sleepy 
Tom Will Trot” —and no quotations for farm 
products ; while the premium lists provide one 
thousand dollars for a “ Free-for-All ” Agricul¬ 
tural horse trot, not one of the animals com¬ 
peting, being worth agriculturally, for any 
practical and useful purpose, six cents; while, 
on the other hand, twenty dollars is the high¬ 
est premium for a thoroughbred draft stallion, 
or mare, or bull or cow, aud one dollar for the 
best bushel of wheat, corn, oats, barley, pota¬ 
toes, or for tho best pound of butter, or checse i 
we may expect fairs to run to “boss trots” 
and that farmers will keep thyir products at 
home. The friends of trotting claim “ it draws 
the crowd, and furnishes gate money !" If 
that be the only argument, an arrangement 
with State Executives to turn over criminals to 
Suite or County Agricultural Societies and 
have them publicly executed at the, fairs, would 
draw crowds better, and lie equally legitimate 
Agricultural objects! 
There has been a great rush of people from 
from the old States to this new aud rapidly de¬ 
veloping region, especially the past season. 
We huve quite doubled our population within 
the last two years; and still they come, and 
there is room for more. The railroad com¬ 
panies who own large tracts of lands, and 
those who purchased lands on speculation 
years ago, are offering most favorable terms. 
Lauds $an be had on time to suit desire of pur¬ 
chaser, aud at low rates of interest—five and 
six per cent. Robt. W. Furnas. 
---- 
VERMONT STATE FAIR. 
[Spcclftl Correspondence.] 
The Verinout State Fair, held this year at the 
State capital, (Montpelier), was very success¬ 
ful. Not only was there a largo exhibit in nearly 
every department, but tho attendance was also 
greater than in any previous year, except when 
Horace Greeley, then presidential candidate, 
delivered the address at St. Johnsbury. The 
net receipts amounted to 81,200, and the accu¬ 
mulated funds of the Society now reach nearly 
or quite to 820,000. 
In live stock the largest exhibits were in 
Jersey cattle and American Merino sheep, hut 
the other breeds in both lines were well repre¬ 
sented. There were several good herds of 
Short-horns, and also Ayrshires, while the 
Devons, Dutch, Swiss aud Guernseys were re¬ 
spectably represented. Cots wold sheep, to the 
extent of 80 pens, were exhibited. In this class 
the prizes were mostly taken by entries from 
the Province of Quebec, There, were also 15 
pens of South-Downs, and the popularity of 
this breed for mutton and lambs is apparently 
increasing in the State. Few pigs were pre¬ 
sented, mostly Poland-Chinas and Chesters. 
There was a large aud very excellent display 
of poultry, embracing nearly every breed ol 
hens, ducks, geese and turkeys. There was a 
number of exhibitors iu this class from with¬ 
out the State. 
The show of dairy goods, and especially * 
butter, was unusual ly large, brought out i® par* 
by extra premiums offered by the V^Machine 
Co., the Ferguson Creamery Co„ and the 
Higgln Suit premiums, all of which was 
special, in addition lo the regular premiums 
offered by the Slate Society. By far the 
grpafer portion qf thjs blotter was front herds 
of Jersey blood. Tfiore "were ujanifest eyideuces 
